In a groundbreaking achievement, Elon Musk's SpaceX made history on Sunday (13 October) as they successfully caught the first-stage booster of their Starship rocket with the launch tower's large mechanical "chopsticks" in Texas. This marks a world-first in the pursuit of rapid reusability for the company, as the booster completed its flight and returned in a controlled manner to the launch pad. SpaceX founder Musk described the moment as "a day for the engineering history books."
Elon Musk's SpaceX Makes History with Starship Booster Catch
In a groundbreaking achievement, Elon Musk's SpaceX made history on Sunday, October 13th, by successfully catching the first-stage booster of their Starship rocket with the launch tower's large mechanical "chopsticks" in Texas. This marks a world-first in the pursuit of rapid reusability for the company.
Background:
SpaceX has been developing the Starship rocket system for several years, aiming to create a fully reusable launch vehicle that can drastically reduce the cost of spaceflight. The first-stage booster is designed to lift the Starship spacecraft into low Earth orbit, while the second stage will take it into trans-lunar or trans-Mars injection for deep space missions.
Sunday's Launch:
On Sunday, SpaceX launched the Starship SN15 prototype from its launch pad in Boca Chica, Texas. The booster successfully completed its flight and then re-entered the Earth's atmosphere, deploying its fins and flaps to control its descent.
As the booster approached the launch pad, the launch tower's mechanical "chopsticks" extended and caught the booster, bringing it to a controlled landing. This marks the first time a rocket booster of this size has been successfully caught in mid-air.
Significance:
The successful booster catch is a major milestone for SpaceX and the development of the Starship rocket system. It demonstrates the feasibility of rapid reusability, which is essential for reducing the cost of spaceflight. By catching the booster and reusing it for multiple launches, SpaceX can significantly reduce the time and resources required for future missions.
Top 5 FAQs:
Why is catching the booster important?
How did SpaceX catch the booster?
What's next for the Starship program?
When will the Starship be operational?
What will the Starship be used for?
Realme has expanded its P3 series with the addition of P3 Ultra and P3 5g smartphones in India. Along with the phones, Realme has also launched new wireless earbuds for audiophiles. The phones come with Realme UI6.0 based on Android 15 out of the box and boast impressive specs such as 120 Hz refresh rate, 6000 mAh battery, and IP66, IP68, and IP69 ratings for dust and water resistance. The P3 Ultra starts at Rs 26,999 while P3 5g starts at Rs 16,999.
French technology brand Alcatel, managed by TCL Communications under a license from Nokia, is set to enter the Indian market in 2025 with a range of premium smartphones. The company plans to debut its first device featuring a stylus for the mass market, and is committed to supporting the Make in India initiative by manufacturing its smartphones locally. Along with smartphones, Alcatel also offers a range of tablets, but it is uncertain if these will also be introduced in the Indian market. Meanwhile, competition in this arena is heating up with Acer also announcing its plans to launch smartphones in India.
Get ready for the Realme Narzo 80 series launch in India on April 9, which includes the Narzo 80 Pro and Narzo 80x models. These devices will bring upgrades in terms of performance, camera, and display, and are confirmed to have a sleek design with fast performance. Rumored to have features like a 120Hz refresh rate, powerful chipsets, and military-grade certification, the Narzo 80 series is expected to be a hit in the Indian market.
We've delved into the world of YouTube's top trending videos and discovered what it really takes to make it to the top. By using a combination of factors such as views, shares, comments, and likes, YouTube maintains a list of the most popular videos on the platform. Our analysis, using the Kaggle dataset "Trending YouTube Video Statistics" gathered through the YouTube API, aims to predict which videos are likely to become trending. This information is crucial for those looking to increase their chances of going viral on the platform.
Samsung has launched the new Galaxy Tab S10 FE and Galaxy Tab S10 FE+, boasting bigger displays and advanced AI features for smarter work and creativity. The FE+ version has a 13.1-inch screen, making it the largest FE tablet to date, with slimmer bezels for an immersive experience. The tablets will be available in select markets from April 3 in three color options. Don't miss out on the launch, visit Samsung's official website for more details.
With an increasing need for efficiency in managing social media, automation tools have become crucial. Here is a list of 13 top Twitter automation tools for 2025, including their features and costs. From IFTTT's automation to CrowdFire's management options, these tools offer scheduling, analysis, and engagement features. With plans ranging from free to $249 per month, there is a tool for every individual and business needs.
Following a technical glitch on UPI causing payment disruptions on various platforms including Google Pay and Paytm, the issue has now been resolved. The National Payments Corporation of India (NPCI) confirmed that there were intermittent technical issues, and users took to social media to react with hilarious memes. One meme features actor Pankaj Tripathi with a disappointed expression, while another shows friends washing dishes at a restaurant because they couldn't pay via UPI.
The Mira-Bhayandar-Vasai Virar police in Maharashtra has introduced a cutting-edge method to gather public feedback through Quick Response (QR) codes. This initiative, in line with the state's seven-point agenda, aims to bring more transparency to the police department by replacing traditional feedback methods with a digital system. Visitors to police stations and other service-related departments can now scan the QR-code, access a detailed questionnaire, and provide feedback on various parameters. This technologically advanced system, launched by the MBVV police chief in the presence of other officials, will help in identifying shortcomings and improving the overall efficiency of the police stations.
Microsoft has announced the expansion of AI features to Copilot+ PCs powered by Intel and AMD chipsets. This includes popular features such as Live Captions, Cocreator, Restyle Image, and Image Creator. The company has also added new capabilities to Voice Access for Snapdragon X series chipsets, with plans to roll it out to Intel and AMD-powered devices later this year. These updates are part of the March 2025 Windows non-security preview update, and will improve the overall user experience for Copilot+ PC users.
The long-awaited Motorola Edge 60 Fusion has finally arrived in India, boasting flagship-level features and towering performance capabilities. Available in two storage variants, the phone offers up to 12GB of RAM and 256GB of storage, with three vibrant color options. But the real standout is its impressive camera setup and powerful battery, making it a strong competitor in the mid-range flagship market. The Motorola Edge 60 Fusion comes packed with top-of-the-line features, including a stunning 6.7-inch all-curved pOLED display with a 120Hz refresh rate and Water Touch 3.0 support. It also sports a MediaTek Dimensity 7400 SoC and promises three years of Android OS upgrades. Additionally, with Moto AI features, dual stereo speakers, and Dolby Atmos support, this phone promises to enhance your overall smartphone experience.